My 17 year old daughter wants to go on a school trip to Europe

[Lazy8s]

My parents sent me to Italy, it was a GREAT experience. I would say pay for it if you can afford it.

 

[latino666]

If your daughter gets a job right now come spring time she could have more then enough to pay for the trip herself.

 

[Christobevii3]

I went on one and can say it wasn't worth the cost and I wasn't old enough to appreciate it.

 

[LookingGlass]

I haven't read all these pages, my niece went to Spain, my sister helped with some of the cost, my niece had to come up with the rest herself, she raised money, and she did it. Teaches them something too, when they have a goal, they need the money. Earn it.

 

[silverpig]

Tell her to save up as much as she can (like half?). If she makes enough, maybe pay for the whole thing for her on the condition that she puts her saved money in a bond or something like that.

 

[preslove]

Pay for the minimum that is required for her to go, i.e. airfare and whatever the shcool requires for room and provided meals. Make her save up the spending money. This is one of those things that you can do for her that's special. Don't be a cheap skate or overly didactic.

 

[z42]

Originally posted by: LookingGlass
I haven't read all these pages, my niece went to Spain, my sister helped with some of the cost, my niece had to come up with the rest herself, she raised money, and she did it. Teaches them something too, when they have a goal, they need the money. Earn it.

:thumbsup:

I think there is a fine line you have to walk as a parent, and it's different for each family. We all want our kids to have great experiences like this and to have fun with their friends. Only you know your daughter and whether she needs to learn lessons regarding entitlement. She will probably have plenty of opportunities to travel during her life, but you have a limited amount of time left to help mold her character.

Personally, I like your idea of helping her out with some of the trip costs. I would let my kid know ahead of time what portion of the $$ would be their responsibility, so s/he would know how much to raise.

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: D1gger
Her history and language teachers are planning a trip to Europe in the spring to visit some historic sites. The cost of airfare, hotels and most of the meals is about $2,500. My daughter really wants to go, but it will be tough for her to save enough money between now and the spring to pay for it.

I have some idea of what I want to do, but I would like to hear some other opinions before I make a decision.

What say you?

Tell her she has to put a certain percentage of money she makes away in ING Direct or some other high interest savings account. Make it so she has to suffer a little bit to save money, but pay for the rest in the end.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Please have her go. It could be one of those life-changing experiences for her.

Ugh.

Originally posted by: Savij

And the post Eurotrip smug. Jesus. Teenage girl + Eurosmug? Goodluck with that.

Yeah, that's more like it.

 

[atybimf]

Pay for it.

 

[Sid59]

she should at least raise her own "SPENDING FUND".

needless to say, this is an excellent oppoturnity i missed out when i was younger. If you're in the position to finance this trip, i would suggest you do so. Even then, she can locally babysit for cash, part time job or what not.

 

[Heller]

why not let her go, then one of the days uu and your meet up with her for a day or 2 if you can afford it since you as a child couldent go due to financial difficulties?(that was a previous post from you right?)

 

[PricklyPete]

I would tell her that she can go, but she needs to work to pay for it. Let her save as much money as she can, then for Christmas tell her that you will pay for 50% or 75% of it and she can use whatever extra money she has for spending.

It will be a great experience for her.

 

[LouPoir]

Originally posted by: CollectiveUnconscious
Pay for it. This is a great opportunity for her to gain some culture and knowledge.

Once in a lifetime opportunity -

 

[RaiderJ]

If it was my kid I would certainly have them go, even if I had to pay for part of it. I would certainly expect them to cover some of the finances, but only what would be reasonable depending on their finances.

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: Safeway
I went on a trip just like this. My parents said that they would pay for the entire trip as long as I got everyone in my family (Aunts, uncles, grandparents, ...) thoughtful and substantial gifts. For instance, I went to Turkey and got several hand-made linens, etc.

It really made me think of my family while I was over there on my parents dollar, and appreciate the trip.

Edit: I paid for all the gifts.

:thumbsup:

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Hey, my AP US History teacher is guiding one of those tours as well. I went on an orchestra trip to Russia last spring. It cost about $2100, but it was worth every penny. The bonding experience was incredible, the Russian culture was really cool, and we got to play in 2 of the greatest concert halls in Russia.

 

[montanafan]

Students from the two high schools I've taught at have been going on these trips to Europe for years and all the kids have loved the experience.

Since you say you could afford to pay the entire amount yourself if necessary, I wouldn't set a particular percentage for her to pay. I'd use the opportunity more for a lesson in budgeting for things you really want and the sacrifices you have to make to get them. Sit down with her and look at how much she makes in her job and how much she spends now for other things she wants. Then determine an amount she should be able to put away each payday toward the trip. Remind her that she is going to have to make some sacrifices because this is money that she won't have to spend on other things she might want while she's saving and that you and her mother are not going to buy those things for her. Let her figure out what she spends the money on now that she could do without until time for the trip. Then have her give you that money to keep for her until the trip and tell her if she sticks to the budget, you'll pay the rest. Keep in mind that when the time to leave for the trip is approaching she's going to want some new things to take with her like clothes, luggage, etc., not to mention spending money. Tell her then that she can use the money she saved for that and you will pay for the trip.

Oh, and to those who have no respect for the intelligence and moral fortitude of a 17 year old girl. The high schools I've taught at have been taking girls to Europe since the mid-1970's and not a single one of them has come back pregnant.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Originally posted by: LouPoir

Originally posted by: CollectiveUnconscious
Pay for it. This is a great opportunity for her to gain some culture and knowledge.

Once in a lifetime opportunity -

uh, no.

 

[Skunkwourk]

:thumbsup: on your decision, its what I would do if I was in your shoes...

 

[Azndude2190]

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
Hey, my AP US History teacher is guiding one of those tours as well. I went on an orchestra trip to Russia last spring. It cost about $2100, but it was worth every penny. The bonding experience was incredible, the Russian culture was really cool, and we got to play in 2 of the greatest concert halls in Russia.

Russia?

Wow thats really cool.My school never had a trip to Russia.Is this a European club?

AP European/US History kids go to London.
My Spanish II teacher always takes her kids to Spain/Italy
French teachers have summer trips to France.
^Ditto with the German teachers to German.
Orchestra always go to Italy.
Are culture club goes wherever depending on the year.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

It was for orchestra. We have a different trip once every 3 years, so everyone has the opportunity to go (I'm in the top orchestra, which is only 10th-12th graders).